A motion detector security light is an easy and cost-effective way to improve your home security. A motion detector security light has a motion sensor, and when the motion of potential intruder is detected, the security light is automatically switched on.
A motion detector security light can be an effective deterrent, because burglars prefers to operate in areas of darkness, and a light coming on automatically will give the burglar the impression that someone may be at home. Also any neighbors seeing the security light coming on are alerted to the presence of a potential intruder.
Another benefit of a motion detector security light is the convenience of not having to fumble around in the dark trying to find the right key, and trying to find the keyhole to insert the key into – a motion sensor security light will come on automatically to light your way. And lastly, a motion sensor security light will save you money on lighting bills, as the light will only come on when motion is detected.
The motion sensor used in most motion sensor security lights is a PIR (infrared) sensor, which works by detecting the body heat given off by a potential intruder. These sensors are quite effective, and normally the level of infrared sensitivity can be adjusted on the unit so that they are not set off by small animals such as dogs and cats. Most motion sensor security lights have a day/night sensor built in, and will not come on during daylight hours.
- the security light sensor’s field of vision
- the security light sensor’s range
- brightness of the security light bulb
A motion sensor’s field of vision is how many degrees the sensor can see in front of it. This typically ranges from 90 degrees to 180 degrees. Obviously if you are installing the light in the middle of a long straight outside wall of your home, you will need a security light with close to 180 degrees of vision. If you are installing the light in an entrance area alcove, you could probably use a light with 90-120 degrees of vision.
The sensor range is how far away the PIR motion sensor can detect infrared body heat from a potential intruder. This can normally vary anywhere from 10 to 100 feet. If you want to install a motion sensor security light looking over a very large lawn area, then it’s recommended that you get a security light with a motion sensor range of at least 50 feet.
The brightness of a security light bulb should also determined by where you are planning to locate the light. If the light is only intended to light up a small area, then you could get away with a security light with a 100W bulb. Generally for security purposes, brighter is better, so get a security light that can take at least a 150W bulb. Remember that the light should really only come on when an intruder is detected, so should not run up your electricity bill.
A motion sensor security light can also have other features. Most motion sensor security lights allow you to set how long the light stays on for once motion is detected – 1 minute, 2 minutes, or 10 minutes etc. Most motion sensor security lights will also allow you to adjust the sensitivity of the PIR sensor. Getting this setting right may require a bit of trial and error, as you want the sensor to be sensitive enough to detect any human intruder, but not to detect the neighbors cat.
Some include a dusk-to-dawn feature, which allows you to put the light in motion sensor mode (where the light only comes on when motion is detected), or to put the light in dusk-to-dawn mode. In dusk-to-dawn mode, the light will stay on throughout the night, and switch off during daylight hours. A motion sensor security light may also have a built in timer, which allow you to set what time, and for how long the security light comes on for.
The Heath Zenith SL-5318-BZ-A Motion-Sensing Twin Security Light
Tags: home security sensor, motion sensor light, motion sensor security light
